SayPro SYRIA– FS & AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT PM (H/F)– RAQQA

Desired start date: 1st /09/2022 Duration of the mission: 12 months Location: Raqqa

ABOUT THE MISSION…

• Mission: There are 3 implementing offices in Syria (2 in North East Syria/NES, 1 in North West Syria/NWS) with the coordination based in Amman. The total financial volume of the mission for 2022 is approximately 27 millions/ The mission has now reached a number of approximately 40expatriates and 290 national employees (9 expatriates and 90 national employees in Ar-Raqqa base).

• Raqqa Base : In Raqqa, Si started to implement agriculture and livelihoods activities in 2021, mainly through two projects who provide agricultural support (at household level through vegetable gardening, and farmer level through support to wheat production) and business grants to entrepreneurs. A food security and livelihoods strategy has been developed for NES, and in 2022 SI took another step in this strategy in launching a value chain assessment in NES, and pre-identifying new donors. SI is also strengthening its coordination with nutrition actors in order to have better integration with its food security / agriculture activities. This approach has been included in a proposal that would fall under the scope of this position. On the agricultural side, the next expected step is to engage further with cooperatives. This latter objective should be reached by the end of 2022 / early 2023 and would fall under this position.

• Type and content of program: Syria mission is dedicated to work in areas recently opened (in 2017 in Raqqa) and in challenging contexts to provide lifesaving activities to the population affected by the conflict. A turn from lifesaving activities to more post-emergency/development has also been undertaken.

In Ar-Raqqa Governorate, main current activities are related to:

• • Lifesaving – Wash – emergency package in IDPs settlements – Distribution of NFIs and MPCA
• Early recovery and more sustainable activities:
  • • individuals’ houses rehabilitations
      • Institutional rehabilitations and support: Water stations rehabilitations, capacity building of the Water Department, rehabilitation of schools, rehabilitation of irrigations systems and infrastructures
      • Support to agriculture (vegetable gardening, wheat production)
      • Market strengthening (restoring and supporting businesses through grants)

Additionally, SI has a contingency and capacity to respond to emergencies in all NES.

ABOUT THE JOB

General objective:

The Foods Security and Livelihood Program Manager supports the development of donor proposals and funding approved, ensure the project cycle management in the field.

S/he specifically guarantees the relevance, quality and suitability of proposed technical approaches and ensures the appropriateness of the FSL related activities and general SI objectives to the needs of the populations affected by the Syrian crisis and the harmonized approach with other FSL actors.

S/he is a creative force in the case where certain adaptations would be necessary in view of the evolution of the needs and the context.

S/he guarantees a proper preparation of the starting of the program, including the elaboration of a preliminary assessment and the set-up of an efficient monitoring system; the development of a robust beneficiary selection mechanism and the design of each activity.

S/he ensures SI representation to the FSL technical and sectorial working groups and reporting on SI interventions.

S/he contributes to the process of institutional knowledge building and the improvement of Solidarités International methods and techniques in the field of FSL.

S/he ensure the management of the dedicated team, builds up its technical skills of the in the field of FSL.

The main challenges:

Security level is high in NES justifying specific arrangements in terms of rules and movements in the areas of intervention.

Strong intergration with nutrition actors expected. The candidate have to be able to implement household level activities (vouchers, vegetable gardenning) while integrating this with nutrition actors, in addition to further support to farmers on wheat production.

The position requires a strong capacity and appetite to assess, develop, and contribute to the lessons learnt/knowledge reinforcement of SI on this field.

Be aware of the local environment that requires to comply with a low visibility attitude, and therefore, constraints and limits on movements.

Priorities for the 2/3 first months:

• Launch the FOOD SECURITY AND AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT/Agriculture oriented activities, with a prior assessment (new sector for SI in NES)
• Liaise with the Rehabilitation Department (Agriculture support to farmers being in link with the rehabilitation of the irrigation system)
• Ensure the recruitment and training of the new team

Responsibilities and main activities:

Support in strategic orientation, diagnosis and project design

• Review and develop the FOOD SECURITY AND AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT-based strategy in accordance with SI’s policies and priorities for NES/Raqqa
• Establish assessments in the area of intervention to identify the most vulnerable people in term of FOOD SECURITY AND AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT and to identify the gap and get a better understanding of the local needs
• Coordinate with pre-identified Nutrition actors to fine tune referral mechanism between nutrition centers and SI vouchers for food activities
• Liaise with partners acting in the Nutrition and FOOD SECURITY AND AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT sectors, and with the technical members of the Agriculture Department.
• Revision/update of the strategy based on the assessment, the feasibility and the context evolution.
• Participate to the definition of vulnerability criteria in collaboration with the MEAL department
• Support development of FOOD SECURITY AND AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT proposals and define operational components (including technical annexes, budget and the logical framework)

Project relevance, quality and design

• Propose a technical approach for the program implementation
• Set up proper data collection and field assessments

· Ensure the relevance and consistency of the assistance vis-a-vis the needs of the local rural populations.

• Propose adjustments to the program/activities, if necessary and according to the needs assessments’ findings
• Ensure that program objectives meet sustainability requirements and, if required, compliance with established norms and standards
• Liaise with the HQ FOOD SECURITY AND AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT Technical Department for any support, technical advice

Implementation and operational monitoring

• Plan and oversee the implementation of the agricultural support activities, through the set-up of consistent workplan and in compliance with the set technical specifications, with reference to SI’s technical standards and operational procedures, donors’ requirements, international standards and humanitarian principles.
• Ensure the achievement of the results of the programs (s)he is responsible for.
• Plan the activities with the support Departments (administration, logistics, supply), according to objectives, appropriate set up of procurement plan and consistent budget management and follow up.
• In collaboration with FC/MEAL Dpts, ensure the integration of key security aspects, humanitarian access and beneficiaries data protection related issues.
• With the support of the FC Dpt, liaise and write MoU with the relevant Authorities
• With the support of the MEAL Dpt, participate in designing the MEAL strategy related to distributions, in designing tools, analyzing results and reporting.
• Ensure SI mandate, operational procedures and quality standards full respect during the overall implementation process.
• Constantly assess and monitor the relevance of activities, the timeline and effectiveness of interventions, the appropriateness of the modalities of implementation in light of changing circumstances, needs of populations, humanitarian access and protection mainstreaming key related issues (inclusivity and accessibility of people with specific needs, Gender standards, Accountability to affected people etc…).
• Anticipate the difficulties associated with conducting activities and help solve problems, propose adjustments if necessary.

HR management

• Hire the national staff for the FOOD SECURITY AND AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT activities based on program designed
• Define the prerequisites for opened positions together with the administrative department
• Set up technical training depending on operational needs and identified training requirements
• Perform action plans, EAP within the team
• Ensure adherence to security regulations by program team

Capitalization and Institutional Knowledge Building – IKB

• Use the IKB tools proposed by Solidarités International
• Participate in the centralization and distribution of procedures, guides and tools linked to the activities
• Elaborate lessons learnt and SOPs
• Capitalize on intervention methods and techniques and on the experiences acquired by SI
• Write handover reports before the end of his/her contract and send it to the appropriate persons on the mission and at headquarters

Reporting / communication / representation

• Communicate to the relevant persons any information on the security situation or on any event that could impact SI’s activities and the safety of the teams
• Contribute to the internal and external reporting requested by the coordination
• Ensure proper hard and soft archiving of all the documents related to the activities and files entitled to be audited
• Ensure a transparent and efficient communication scheme with the beneficiaries, the different local entities the activities would require to be in collaboration with
• Represent SI at technical/sectorial meetings or forums concerning the FOOD SECURITY AND AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT activities with the deputy
• Liaise and coordinate with FOOD SECURITY AND AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT stakeholders to ensure program alignment and harmonized approach
• Actively represent the organization when asked and/or delegated to do so and more specifically take an active participation in the technical and sectorial working groups (NFI, Cash, Food Security) at national and regional level and provide timely and accurate information on SI intervention as requested by the sectors.
• Reply to coordination information requests regarding specific needs
• With the FC Dpt, prepare the administrative documents (MOU, handover, donation certificates, request letters) to be jointly signed with government authorities, communities, etc

YOUR PROFILE

Specific skills and experience:

Education:

Specific degree Agricultural sector and development

Bachelor degree in a field related to Project Management, Development studies, International relations or equivalent

Experience*:*

• Minimum 3 years with INGO in Humanitarian Project Management including FSL, with at least the management of one program specifically linked to Agricultural sector
• Previous experience with SI being a plus.
• Experience in HR management
• Experience in a volatile security context highly appreciated
• Technical background in the field of agricultural development and related project
• Demonstrated understanding of nutrition
• Strong computer skills essential and working knowledge of Mobile Data Collection systems (e.g., Kobo or ONA)
• Experience in communication with communities and implementation of accountability mechanisms
• Ability to organize training and lead meetings
• Capacity building to local teams is paramount for the position
• Data analysis (quantitative and qualitative)
• Database management

Soft skills:

• Respect/compliance of security rules;
• Flexibility and ability to adapt to cultural habits;
• Adaptability towards changing work environment and possible volatile security situation;
• Stress management skills: ability to work under pressure to meet tight deadlines, with peaks of heavy workloads;
• Team player, capacity to give a positive dynamic
• Problem solving capacities
• Acceptance towards being challenged by skilled national staff

Management

This sector being a new sector for SI in NES/Raqqa, the team have to be recruited, trained and supervised (Deputy, supervisors and officers.)

Language:

Excellent English skills (written, spoken and read) is mandatory

To speak Levantine Arabic and/or French would be an asset

SI WILL OFFER YOU

A salaried post: According to experience, starting from 1980 euros gross per month (1800 base salary + 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) and a monthly Per Diem of 700 USD

SI also covers accommodation costs and travel expenses between the expatriate’s country of origin and the place of assignment.

Vacation: During the assignment, a system of alternation between work and time off is implemented at the rate of on 7 working days every three months. For a one-year assignment, the expatriate will have a 7 working days break at 3/6 and 9 month.

To these break periods, it is necessary to add the granting of 1 additional rest day per month worked > i.e. 12 days in addition for a 1-year contract**.**

Social and medical cover: Expatriates benefit from an insurance package which reimburses all healthcare expenses (including medical and surgical expenses, dental care and ophthalmological expenses, repatriation) and a welfare system including war risks. Essential vaccination and antimalarial treatment costs are refunded.

LIVING CONDITIONS:

Security level is high in NES justifying specific arrangements in terms of rules and movements in the areas of intervention.

The candidate will be based in Raqqa. She/He will live in the SI guesthouse(s). In Raqqa, living conditions are simple but highly improved with a few opportunities and places to socialize.

How to apply

Does this description fit you? Please send us your CV and Cover letter in English through the following link: https://emea3.recruitmentplatform.com/syndicated/private/syd_apply.cfm?id=PULFK026203F3VBQB6G8N8NX4&nPostingTargetID=73569

CV only applications will not be considered.

NB: The vacancy may close before the deadline. Thank you for your comprehension

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